Unbelievably, some studies indicate that 95% of true ED's are seen in women which is simply enormous (6). Quite in fact, for some time it was actually thought that ED's occurred only in women. We now know that this is false as relatively more men are developing some form of ED in the modern world.
But most overt ED's occur in women under the age of 24 and tend to develop at puberty which suggests a biological factor.
But focusing on women, there is absolutely no doubt that environmental and cultural issue that play
into this with factors such as a mother with an ED, early dieting practices, stressful environments, being
teased about body weight, media images or being involved in traditionally female sports such as
gymnastics, ballet and ice skating that stress thinness and low body weights that are present (9)